A PRIMARY school rolled back the years by hosting 1970s-themed lessons and a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate a special anniversary. 

Westerings Primary Academy, in Sunny Road, Hockley, marked 50 years since it opened with a day of activities that also included pupils helping to bury a time capsule to mark the occasion. 

Former headteachers and staff were invited back and given a tour of the school as part of the celebrations, allowing them to get a glimpse of new additions such as pirate ship play equipment and an adventure golf course. 

Pupils were asked to dress up in clothing from the 70, 80s, and 90s, and wrote letters to future students which were then placed in a time capsule. 

Headteacher Adam Stainsbury said: “Celebrations went perfectly, with children involved across the school in a range of celebratory activities.

“They took part in a giant fifty aerial photo, spent the day in 70s, 80s or 90s themed lessons, and enjoyed eating a slice of our giant 50th birthday cake.

“Hundreds of residents, families, pupils, and staff past and present then returned in the evening for a fabulous firework display.

“It was the perfect end to an amazing day.”

Mr Stainsbury is himself a former pupil from the 1990s, and returned to his old school to become headteacher in 2013. 

Westerings Primary converted into an academy school back in 2012 and is currently rated “good” by Ofsted.

Mr Stainsbury admits it was a dream come true to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary this week.

He added: “Westerings is more than just a school. It plays a part in so many people’s lives in the area and has been supporting children in the local community for half a century.

“There has been such a buzz of excitement around the school; pupils feel the importance of the school marking such a great occasion and for them to be involved to such a great extent.  

“Coming back to Westerings was a dream come true for me.

“Making sure that my old primary school had the absolute best provision for the next generation of students is a responsibility I take very seriously and gives me great pride and pleasure every day.

“I am excited by what the next 50 years will bring.”

One of the workers at the school, Chris Phipps, has been there for more than 35 years.

In her time at the school, she has been a cleaner, midday assistant and lunchtime supervisor.

Mr Stainsbury says she is very much synonymous with the school.

He said: "She gives so much time voluntarily to the school.

"It's the dedication from staff like Chris that make our academy such a special place."